A cross passage is a small passageway built to connect the eastbound and westbound tunnels for maintenance and emergency purposes. Dewatering equipment is used at street level on Eglinton Avenue above the cross passage location. Dewatering is the process of removing groundwater from around the tunnel level below. The dewatering equipment will be in place for the duration of the building of the cross passage.

Where

While the majority of work will occur underground within the tunnels, dewatering operations will be visible on the surface on Eglinton Avenue East near Rumsey Road. Eglinton Avenue East will be gradually reduced to one lane in each direction between Hanna Road and west of Sutherland Drive throughout all 3 stages.

Why

Dewatering wells are an important part of the cross passage construction process in order to make sure that the water table remains low enough to allow the hand mining required to construct the interconnecting passage outside the main tunnels.

When

Construction will take place in three stages, starting as soon as the week of July 11, 2016. In sequential order, the first two stages will each last approximately 2 weeks. The final stage of construction will last for approximately 3 months.

3 stages of cross passage work

Stage 1: Wells Installation on the south side of Eglinton Avenue East (approximately 2 weeks)

Traffic will be shifted to the north side of Eglinton Avenue during this stage of construction.

Westbound Eglinton traffic will be prohibited from turning southbound on Rumsey Road.

Eastbound Eglinton traffic will be prohibited from turning northbound on Rumsey Road.

Stage 2: Wells Installation on the north side of Eglinton Avenue East (approximately 2 weeks)

Traffic will be shifted to the south side of Eglinton during this stage of construction.

Rumsey Road, north of Eglinton to the first driveway will be one-way southbound only.

Northbound Rumsey Road will be closed at Eglinton Avenue East.

Eastbound Eglinton traffic will be prohibited from turning northbound on Rumsey Road.

Driveways will remain open during stages 1 & 2 of construction. However, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. there may be short interruptions to vehicular access to the Rumsey Road driveway of 712 Eglinton Avenue East, and 714, 716, 718, 720, 722 and 724 Eglinton Avenue East.

All sidewalks will remain open during stages 1 & 2.

Stage 3: Dewatering Storage Tank (approximately 3 months)

Rumsey Road, north of Eglinton to the first driveway will be one-way southbound only. Northbound Rumsey Road will be closed at Eglinton Avenue East.

Eastbound Eglinton traffic will be prohibited from turning northbound to Rumsey Road.

Westbound Eglinton traffic will be prohibited from turning northbound to Rumsey Road.

All driveways will remain open during this stage of construction.

Pedestrians (stage 3 only)

To ensure the safety of pedestrians, the crosswalk on the north side of Eglinton Avenue at Rumsey Road will be closed.

Pedestrians will be diverted to cross to the south side of Eglinton Avenue to proceed east/west along Eglinton Avenue East.

Please watch for detour signs that will be posted.

Parking Details

On-street parking will be prohibited along the north and south of Eglinton Avenue East in this construction zone.

Work Hours

Please note that dewatering pumps and/or generators are required to be active 24 hours a day. The contractor will not always work during extended hours, but may do so at its discretion.

Noise and Vibration

Noise and vibration associated with construction can be expected with this work.

Thank you for your patience as we work to build this important project.